A county or regional landfill should provide enough area for what period of operation?

A county or regional landfill is designed to serve the waste disposal needs of a specific area over an extended period. Providing operational capacity for 20 to 40 years is essential because it ensures that the landfill can accommodate the projected population growth and waste generation trends over time. Planning for this longer operational period allows for effective waste management strategies, reduces the frequency of needing new sites, and promotes environmental stability.

Landfills require significant investment in infrastructure and compliance with regulations; thus, a longer operational lifespan helps justify these costs. This timeline also enables more sustainable planning and development of alternatives for waste management in the future, such as recycling programs and waste reduction initiatives, while minimizing the environmental impact of having multiple landfills or potential risks associated with waste disposal.